shaking hand's with stranger's?

Question

why does the catholic church expect people to shake the person's hand beside them during mass , peole that you will probably never see again , is this not putting pressure on people , if your walking down the street you would not shake hand's with people you did not know , and is it not very unhigene before you receive communion

I 'm not really talking about the hygiene bit in particular, I often see visititing people and they hold their hand's up as the priest is doing the same , and I think this is much nicer .

Answer 1

i hate having to do this at mass, so instead you can just give the 'sign of peace', this is where you put your hands together as if to pray and do that at people instead!

Answer 2

The act of communion is for catholics a way of receiving God. The reason All people shake the hands prior to the communion is to receive God with a cleanse heart by forgiving what others may have done to us. This is represented by giving your hand to the ones close to you and saying "peace be with you".
In relation to touching other's hands you have the choice of receiving communion straight into your mouth from the priest.

Answer 3

No-one is forced to shake hands if they don't want to. People are not strangers in the Catholic Church as we are one body and, in most churches, we see the same people every week. As far as Holy Communion goes, I don't think anyone should receive it in the hand if they believe in the Real Presence.

Answer 4

I don't know where you live, but try living in small villages in England, or in Africa. In lots of places community is much more important, and people say hello to one another even if they are strangers. Often it builds friendships and community. A church is a fellowship where the aim is to build a loving, friendly, and peaceful community. Better to shake hands with the person next to you in church than sit through an entire service and never speak to them at all.

Answer 5

Alot of churches do this. They think it is giving friendly vibes. I think it is silly.

Then, I do not like shaking hands with people. I am a woman, and this I especially do not like----shaking hands with a man. In business, I guess it might be needed. But, I do not feel a man should touch a woman who is not his wife, in most circumstances.

Have you ever noticed a woman offer her hand to an Orthodox Rabbi? He'll put his hands behind his back. I know women who have been offended by this. But, he would never touch a woman who was not his wife. I like it.

Answer 6

Shaking hands is meaningless - bit like the Catholic Church through & through

Answer 7

We believe in a sense of unity and brotherhood. All people are one in Christ. We are all part of the Church. If you attend Mass with any regularity you will see these same people often. I think it is very beautiful. You can always receive on the tongue if you are concerned with hygiene.

Answer 8

Shaking hands is part of the western culture it is not something only to be found in catholic church it's a way of life to us.

In church shaking hands means peace be with you

Answer 9

When you shake hands, you say "Peace be with you". It doesn't matter whether you don't know the person next to you...the point is to share God's message of peace and love with that person. As for hygiene....I don't think God cares whether you have clean hands or not...the point is still the same!

Answer 10

Personally I'd rather give a hug and a kiss on the cheek - but perhaps this has too much of a resemblance of Judas' betrayal of Christ. Nevertheless it has become customary to shake hands as a 'sign of peace', but no one is forced to do it.

Answer 11

I really don't know why they do that. When I was little and my parents used to take me to church, I remember people would embrace when the father said "peace" or something like that. It was uncomfortable.
I think you should quit catholic church. They don't teach the truth about the Bible there.